Bookies' royal bonus

Bookmakers estimate the decision to push back the start time of the John Smith's Grand National on Saturday by 25 minutes will net them an extra £2.5m on top of the £250m which punters were expected to plunge on the racee .

Bookmakers estimate the decision to push back the start time of the John Smith's Grand National on Saturday by 25 minutes will net them an extra £2.5m on top of the £250m which punters were expected to plunge on the racee .

The world's greatest steeplechase at Aintree is now due off at 4.10pm instead of 3.45, and William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said today: "Just before the off is always the busiest time as the public rush to get their bets on, so those extra few minutes could make a big difference.

"Twenty-five minutes' difference is not a great inconvenience, but it's a big boost for anyone wanting to get their wager on.

"And an estimated £100,000 a minute turnover is certainly not to be sneezed at.

"We can only hope that William or Harry get married on Grand National day next year and they might move the race back even further."

Paul Petrie, spokesman for totesport, added: "The last hour before the race is always the busiest for us anyway, and in a way that has been extended.

"This will obviously increase our takings, but we're not talking about millions of pounds added to our coffers.

"The decision has obviously been taken so as many people as possible can watch the event on television. Televised events always attract more betting, so we are delighted that the number of people watching will be maximised."

The move comes after Clarence House rescheduled the wedding of the Prince Of Wales to Camilla Parker Bowles, thereby allowing Prince Charles to attended the Pope's funeral in Rome on Friday.

The two events have caused a nightmare for programme planners at the BBC, with both occasions clamouring for priority in Saturday's television schedules.

A BBC spokesperson said today: "We are absolutely delighted that the Grand National is still on BBC One and we are very pleased that Aintree have come to this decision.

"We have a great working relationship with them and have been able to react swiftly to ensure that people can see two such big events on Saturday."

Charles Barnett, managing director at Aintree, added: "We have made this decision in consultation with the BBC in order to offer members of the public the best possible afternoon's viewing.

"We have taken this decision after a great deal of thought and discussion. We hope it will be a great day for everyone."

The Grand National will now be run as the fifth race on the seven-race programme, rather than the fourth, with the first four races to be televised live on BBC Two.

BBC One will switch to Aintree from the royal wedding at 3.30pm in order to capture the build-up to the feature race.

The coverage of the wedding will run from noon to 3.30pm on BBC One, while Aintree coverage will run between 1.05pm and 3.30 on BBC Two, and after switching to BBC One, will continue until Final Score takes to the air at 5.05pm.

The BBC last year signed a five-year deal to guarantee exclusive terrestrial rights to the National until 2009. It is the corporation's most-watched sporting event, seen by an estimated worldwide audience of 600 million people.